When Laurie Williams started having trouble seeing the road ahead of him while driving at night he realised all was not well with his eyesight.

The problem seemed to be when he passed from brightly-lit sections to darker stretches, somehow his eyes were not adjusting and he was not able to see clearly.

After several experiences of this dulled vision Laurie, a former patternmaker who went on to run his own woodworking firm, decided he needed to take expert advice.

Appointments with his GP and optician followed and within a few weeks Laurie, aged 81, found himself in front of a consultant at Paybody eye department at Coventry and Warwickshire Hospital.

Photography buff Laurie, who ran the wood company until well into his 70s before his son-in-law took over, was told he had age-related macular degeneration.

"It was quite distressing," said Laurie, who lives with wife, Eileen

aged 80, in Allesley Park, Coventry. "We had never heard of the disease and I was left wondering what there was to look forward to.

"I've always been energetic and active and been able to do things. I wasn't sure what lay in store. I really thought I would go blind."

For Laurie the AMD has meant his vision in his right eye has become much darker. Occasionally he sees a wavy line when looking at a window or straight line.

There are two forms of the dis-ease, wet and dry. Laurie has the wet form in his right eye.

This form occurs because of a build-up of fluid under the retina, leading to bleeding and scarring which results in loss of sight.

It can develop quickly but if caught early enough laser treat-ment can help to halt its progress.

Luckily Laurie had been prompt in reporting his sight difficulties and medics believed he was a good case for the laser therapy.

His right eye was treated in December last year.

"I had a mask put over my face with an opening for the eye," remembered Laurie. "Anaesthetic eye drops were put in and then they did the laser. It wasn't painful or uncomfortable. It was just a brilliant white light."

Laurie now goes for regular check-ups and although his vision has not improved it hasn't got any worse.

He and Eileen, who have been married for 59 years and have three children and seven grandchildren, are learning to live with the limitations.

"I still drive but only during the day now," explained Laurie. "You have to be fair to yourself and other people on the road.

"And I'm more cautious in the car. I will sit and wait these days rather than go rushing through a tight spot.

"I still do my photography and use the computer. I feel lucky that I was seen, referred and treated quickly.

"If I can hold on to the vision that I have now I will be very happy."